From Painkillers to Purpose: My 2024 Awakening

Join Our Free Vision Workshop for 2025 🎇

Hello Artists,

2024 has been one of the most important and abundant years of my life.

But it didn’t start out that way. I came into this year in a scary place.

I was facing serious health issues—a torn labrum in my hip and two herniated discs in my back, pinching a nerve. This caused me 24/7 pain which messed with every aspect of my life.

In those first few weeks of January, the pain was so intense that I couldn’t sleep. The most basic tasks were impossible without painkillers. Even meditation was challenging… five minutes of sitting felt like an eternity.

I seriously considered quitting photography and Artist Morning.

The future I’d envisioned for years—a thriving Darius with a family, successful businesses, and a healthy body—felt like it was slipping away. It’s devastating to watch your dreams fade before your eyes.

That’s the look of D giving up his future self. I was shutting the fuck down.

Then, around March, everything shifted.

At what felt like my millionth doctor’s appointment, I was offered two options: double the painkillers or schedule a surgery. Neither felt right.

That’s when I realized something: no one was going to save me. It was up to me.

During a meditation, I had a vision of a loving angel. She placed her hands on my back and hip, gently pinching me. It hurt, but I knew the pain had a purpose. She was waking me up, urging me to level up my health and consciousness.

And that’s exactly what I did.

I realized my injuries weren’t just physical—they were a reflection of an unsustainable way of working and living. Long hours, endless sitting, and neglecting my body were no longer aligned with the version of myself I was meant to become.

This angel’s message was clear: I have important work to do. To fulfill that mission, I need to prioritize my health—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial.

Transforming pain into power.

So, I doubled down on everything: meditation, prayer, mindset, structure, and action.

I rebuilt my routines and focused on what mattered most.

This year, I paid off over $100,000 in debt—something I once thought impossible. That financial stress had been weighing on me for years, and letting it go felt like reclaiming my freedom.

This year, I proposed to my best friend and the love of my life—easily the best decision I’ve ever made.

This year, Lilian and Ariel moved into the loft, and I experienced a sense of safety, joy, and family like never before.

This year, my businesses grew in stability, creativity, and purpose.

Some moments from the most important year of my life.

An Invitation to Create Your Extraordinary 2025

2024 has been an incredible year. And none of it was accidental.

The truth is, there are specific practices, tools, and frameworks that helped me turn this year around. And I want to share them with you.

I’m hosting a free, 60-minute Zoom experience where we’ll carve out a vision for an extraordinary 2025.

Here’s what you can expect:

• A short guided meditation to ground us in possibility.

• A series of powerful journaling prompts to gain clarity on your dreams.

• A supportive space to map out a year of growth, joy, and abundance.

If you’re ready to bring your dreams to life in 2025, join me on Friday, December 20th at 9am EST. Bring your journal, a pen, headphones, and a warm drink.

I’ll guide you every step of the way.

Because this year has been so transformational for me, and I’d love to share the practices that made it possible so that 2025 can be truly special for you.

If you’d like to join please sign up here —> www.artistmorning.com or by tapping on the button below:

Important note for our Artist Morning community:

If you are already a member of the Artist Morning community and join on Fridays, you don’t need to do anything. Just note that December 20th will be a totally different Artist Morning Live experience.

Big love,

D

Darius Bashar
HEARTshots™ Photographer + Founder
Artist, Creator, Meditator | ArtistMorning.com™